HomeMy WebLinkAboutA041 - Letter from Ed Hendrickson, Jr regarding zoning of properties on east side of Howard Avenue To the City Council of Ames, Iowa,
February 04, 2000
re: Properties on the East Side of Howard should be zoned RH per the City of
Ames Staff recommendation.
The City Staff of Ames recommends the zoning on the East side of Howard be a
slightly higher density residential zoning. We agree with the Staff
recommendation that the East Side of Howard be zoned RH.
We strongly feel that the area should be kept at the proposed high-density
zone for the following reasons:
1) 22, 400 cars pass by the corner of Lincoln Way and Howard Street every day.
The proposed zoning acts as a buffer zone.
2) 100% of the properties on Howard Street are rental property, and 70% of
these are a duplex or greater. RH matches closely to the current usage.
3) Will create a NON-Conforming use. The corner of Lincoln Way and Howard is
currently zoned R-3 and is a 5-plex. This will become a NON-Conforming Use,
and would not be allowed to be rebuilt as a 5-plex if there were a fire. This
property is located 40 feet from Lincoln Way. Currently it is conforming.
4) There are at least 3 other 3-plexes or above on the West side of Howard.
5) This area is only 4 blocks from ISU. Higher density housing next to ISU
reduces traffic. People living in this area will walk to ISU.
6) Avoid splitting the block into 2 different zonings adjacent to each other.
There are already high-density uses along Campus Ave. , which are connected to
the back of the Howard properties. Howard street itself would act as a
better separator.
7) An RH zoning will help clean up the older properties on this street.
8) This is already located in the ISU impact area, which is designed for
higher density housing.
9) There is an abundance of Low-density zoning, and a shortage of High-
Density zoning, especially near ISU.
10) Howard street infrastructure was just upgraded by the City 4 years ago in
preparation for higher density housing.
11) Create a higher property tax base.
Thank you,
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Ed or Deb Hendrickson Jr.
4201 Arizona Circle
Ames, Iowa 50014-3612